Valves are commonly used in the industry to stop or open the flow of gas, liquid or fuel. With the addition of the solenoid, valves can be operated by an electrical signal, which can immediately open or close the flow of water or air.
A solenoid is quite a generic term for those who deal in electronics and magnetic equipment. Typically, it is a device that has a long coil of wire that is wrapped around a metallic core. As electrical current is made to pass through the coil of wire, a magnetic field is generated that can facilitate linear motion. This device is used in a variety of ways such as a power switch, as a car starter or in a valve, which significantly enhances its usage. This solenoid valve relies on electric current for its operation, which causes it to open or close depending on the current. This device is often used in fuel lines or transfer of other liquids, where the operator can use electrical current to open or close the valve. Such a device is fail safe, meaning if there is any problem in the operation of the solenoid, or anything else goes wrong the valve will typically shut off the supply and hence prevent any damage to the system.
The underlying mechanics:
When current is passed through the coil of wire, it converts the metallic core into an electromagnet, which then creates a magnetic field to facilitate motion. While the underlying mechanics of the device remains the same, the uses of the device's linear motion remain varied, according to the use of the valve. A valve that is used to control the flow of liquids has an O Ring, which seals the inlet pipe and prevents the liquid from entering the device. This ring is further controlled by a metal spring and pin arrangement, which causes the O Ring to open and close. When an electrical current passes through the coil, it causes the pin to draw back, which allows the liquid to pass through. When the current is withdrawn, the spring pulls back the pin, stopping the flow of liquid. According to their usage, the solenoid valve can have additional sensors that receive commands from the machine's main electrical unit. In such a case, the sensors can receive distress signals from the machine and turn off the valve if anything does go wrong with the machine.
Understanding the uses:
These types of valves are very common in industrial machinery and are used in everything ranging from dishwasher to refineries. Another common use of the solenoid valve is in the automatic irrigation sprinkler system, where an electrical current is all that is needed to start the system or stop it. They are also used in the paintball industry, where they are commonly used to control the propellant, which is usually CO2. In home appliances, these devices are used in central heating systems, where they receive electrical signal from a thermostat to regulate the flow of heated water or air.
